Volvo S60 and XC60 get ‘superior’ rating in new test of front crash prevention systems

ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (Sept. 27, 2013) – Volvo’s S60 and XC60 received a rating of "superior"in a newly developed testing program of front crash-prevention systems conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for cars equipped with auto brake and forward collision warning. Among the 74 moderately priced and luxury midsize cars and SUVs tested, Volvo’s City Safety was the only low-speed crash prevention system in the test offered as standard.

"We welcome that the major rating institutes now begin to integrate collision avoidance technologies in their testing programs. This will give consumers better insight into the advantages of auto brake systems," said Thomas Broberg, senior safety advisor at Volvo Car Group.

Released today, the results include two crash mitigation tests, one at 12 and the other at 25 mph. An additional point is given to vehicles with forward collision warning. The new IIHS crash prevention evaluation will be incorporated in its 2014 Top Safety Pick Plus rating.

The Volvo S60 sedan and XC60 crossover equipped with City Safety and Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection were among seven models to earn a “superior” rating in the new test.

City Safety standard on new models

All new S60 and XC60s sold in the U.S. have City Safety standard and currently all new Volvos except XC90 come with City Safety offered as standard. Most Volvo models are also available with state-of-the-art technologies that detect and brake automatically for cars, pedestrians and cyclists.

"The IIHS test focuses on two situations, both with cars braking for stationary objects. However, it should be emphasized that our systems cover a much broader scope of real-life scenarios," said Broberg.

The IIHS results confirm Volvo’s safety leadership and its longstanding focus on passenger protection. City Safety was first introduced in the United States on the all-new 2010 XC60. More than 1 million Volvos equipped with auto brake technology have been sold globally and more than 130,000 in the United States. Next year the company will continue this pioneering work by making detection systems that also work in darkness and by introducing collision mitigation for large animals.

Auto brake technology results in fewer crashes

The benefits of the groundbreaking City Safety technology — featuring automatic braking in low speed situations — were documented in a 2012 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) report, which stated a reduction in insurance claim frequencies. In a 2012 IIHS survey of 500 U.S. Volvo owners, a majority of them liked their vehicle’s crash avoidance features and credit the technology with keeping them safe and preventing crashes.

"Over the years, the risk of being injured in a Volvo has been reduced continuously and substantially. By introducing new preventive and protective systems, we keep moving toward our aim that by 2020 no one should be injured or killed in a new Volvo. Our long-term vision is that cars should not crash," said Broberg.